Mahashivaratri, the festival of all-night vigil, will be celebrated with fervour at all Shiva temples across the city tomorrow. Temples, especially those dating back to the princely rule that still hold sway over the devotees, will be specially decked up for the occasion.

As part of the celebrations at Trinayaneshwara Swamy Temple, popularly known as Trineshwara Swamy temple in the Mysore Palace premises, the 11-kg golden mask (chinnada kolaga) of Lord Shiva was brought from the District Treasury amidst tight security this morning. The mask, along with other valuables including ear-rings made of emeralds, was handed over by Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep to the temple priest Venkatesh.

It is during this time of the year the deity, the idol of Shivalinga is adorned with the golden mask.

According to the available history, the mask was gifted to three temples in the undivided Mysore by the then Maharaja Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar to celebrate the birth of his son Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar in 1953. They are, Trineshwara Swamy temple, Nanjangud Srikanteshwara Swamy temple and Male Mahadeshwara Swamy Temple at M M Hills in Chamarajanagar.

The mask will be placed on the Shivalinga tomorrow at 5 am and the temple doors will be open for public. The rituals including ‘mahanyasa puja’, ‘rudrabhisheka’, ‘ashtothara’, ‘panchamrutha abhisheka’ and ‘mahamangalarathi’ will be performed.

Special pujas will be performed to the 108 idols of Shivalinga at Gurukula on Ramanuja Road and the historic Kameshwara Kameshwari temple will sport a festive look. The monolithic idol of the bull (sitting posture) carved in black granite at the entrance of the temple is the main attraction here.

Equally significant by history and also known for its rarity is Kashi Vishwanatha Swamy temple on Ramanuja Road. The deity, Shivalinga was brought from Kashi by the then dewan Sardar M. Kantharaja Urs.

Security arrangements: Police have made elaborate security arrangements with flying squads, and the barricades in front of prominent temples in the city to ensure hassle-free visit.

Police issue guidelines: To ensure smooth conduct of Mahashivaratri, the City Police have issued some guidelines. Urging womenfolk not to move around with ornaments, Police have banned wheeling and over-speeding by two-wheelers.

The Police have asked auto and cab drivers not to refuse ferrying of devotees to desired destinations and not to demand extra fares. Urging citizens to behave well with women and girls, Police have warned those who destroy public property. Screening of films by roadsides and using loud speakers without prior permission have been banned. Gambling of any kind has also been banned.